The Flyer

Some are prone to criticise Wilts & Dorset for failure to invest beyond the core Poole-Bournemouth-Christchurch more corridor. They forget Pulseline, Poole-Canford Heath more, Bournemouth-Lymington, the recent increases in low floor buses… and the Wimborne Flyer.

A recent correspondent in the Echo asked, “Can someone please tell me why bus services are increasing in Wimborne... when we here at Corfe Mullen have had our bus service cut back..."

Allow me to answer that question: market forces and demand. Wimborne has considerable potential, given the right product. Neighbouring Corfe Mullen generated few passengers before the June 2006 changes and its demographics, population and geography indicate it is unlikely to do so in the future.

In fact, W&D seems to have struck a rich seam with its new-from-2-June Wimborne Flyer, between Poole and Wimborne Minster. Summer loadings on the 15 minute PVR 5 Citaro-operated limited stop service 3 were encouraging, including from Broadstone, where the 3's main stop is shelterless Dunyates Road, rather than the traditional Broadway. The dilemma for Broadstone residents is whether to use the slower 4 - also every 15 minutes - from the Broadway, or walk to Dunyates.

The walk will reward passenger with a nine minute journey time (on paper) in an air conditioned Citaro with now familiar 2+1 lower seating layout, rather than an 18 minute journey at the same frequency usually by Solo or a conventional vehicle. Hobson's choice it my seem, but the main shopping area is nearer the Broadway shelter on the 4, where Tesco and Somerfield are juxtaposed.

Nine minutes from Broadstone can be a little tight, whereas the 3 can actually operate early over its more northerly section. Peak congestion causes a problem for all journeys, of course.

It’s rare indeed that a bus service is able to benefit from a new road. We can’t remember when Broadstone Way opened along the old Somerset & Dorset rail alignment (possibly 1990?). Acting as a by-pass, it’s ideal for Wimborne to Poole motor car traffic, missing out considerable population concentrations. Hats off to W&D for exploiting this opportunity.

We’re not so sure about the “Flyer” name, though we concede the word sums the service up in terms of speed.